Amazon GameCircle gives Kindle Fire owners Game Center-style features

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Amazon has officially launched its GameCircle service for Kindle Fire owners and developers, giving them their own social gaming platform, much like Apple's Game Center.

GameCircle-compatible games will reward gamers with achievements, feature global leader boards and Sync - a function that offers cloud-based game saves. This latter feature lets you save your game remotely, ready to pick up where you left off on another device. And while this could mean a replacement Kindle Fire, it's a strong indication from the company that it has plans for other devices in the (near) future: Kindle Fire 2 and an Amazon smartphone, perhaps? Hmmm...

One of the first games to feature GameCircle is the massive hit Temple Run. Keith Shepherd, co-founder of its developer Imangi Studios, believes that not only will its integration greatly benefit the game's existing fans, but also attract new ones.

“The new service is a great way to keep our fans engaged by offering them more opportunities to play the game, and an intuitive platform to connect with new players,” Shepherd said.

Other games to feature GameCircle from the off include Doodle Jump, Tap Zoo and Rule the Kingdom. It will become wider spread now that developers can sign up for access to the APIs.

UK residents will also soon be able to experience Amazon GameCircle. Although the online retailer is yet officially to announced the arrival of the Kindle Fire in Britain, high street store chain Currys and PC World included it in the company's annual Christmas in July event, saying it would be available in its shops from the autumn.